“Come,” she said, “sit on this sofa, darling. We can understand each other better when we are close together. You know how much I love you, Renny.”
“There never, never was a better aunt,” said the girl.
“I am not that. But I do love you. Now, dear, I will tell you. You remember when first I came?”
“Oh, don’t I? And how angry we were!”
“Poor children! I don’t wonder. But don’t you think, Verena, I was a very brave woman to put myself into such a hornet’s nest?”
“Indeed you were wonderful. It was your bravery that first attracted me. Then I saw how good you were, and how kindly you meant, and everything else became easy.”
“But was it equally easy for Pauline?”
“I—I don’t know. I am sure I do know, however, that now she loves you very much.”
“Ah! now,” said Miss Tredgold. “But what about the early time?”